Civility is lacking in Jamaica
Published:Tuesday | December 10, 2024 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Civility classes should be taught in schools. This is a trait that is greatly lacking and is pervasive. Rude and arrogant behaviours are expressed on the roads by bad drivers, bullies in schools, some policemen, some politicians, some customer service agents, and some dancehall deejays...the list goes on.
Civility classes would lay a good foundation for students in their teenage and adult years to absorb, and build upon. Wherever civilised behaviour is lacking, that society will experience more incidences of crime and violence. The converse is true, also.
Learning to be civil should begin at home, but because of single-parent households, high poverty rate and myriad of negative societal influences, that is not always possible.
Jamaica will be far better off if civilised behaviours were deeply entrenched ,and if these collective traits were far more pronounced, proactive and plentiful.
Civility should be the norm but unfortunately, and disappointingly, it is not. We can, should and must do better as a nation, otherwise achieving Vision 2030 goals will remain a pipe dream.
PATRICK GALLIMORE